Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue” (385-391) makes us aware of our use of language in daily life. In her essay Amy Tan describes how all of the English’s that she grew up with, normal English and "mother tongue" English, has molded her first view of life. I strongly agree and can definitely relate to Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue” (385-391) inferences to language, as I also have smart parent’s who are immigrants and am their main source of communication with people who don’t take them seriously. I believe the main idea of tan’s “ Mother Tongue” is to stress that just because someone cannot speak the English language to a perfection does not in any way make them lesser in intelligence than someone who is born in this country who speaks and understands English fully.

The first reason I can relate to Amy Tan’s “Mother tongue” is I am also not a natural born citizen of the USA. I, too have parents who have their own way of speaking and understanding the English language. They are both bright and intelligent individuals , although out of my 6 siblings only I can understand and help them to the full extent. I have been my parent’s translator for as long as I can remember. Amy Tan states “like others, I have described it to people as “broken” or “fractured” English. (Tan, 387) Having to constantly be present for an appointment with my parents always made me wonder how other people viewed my parents, did they think them inferior or not educated? I have to admit always having to be there was annoying if not embarrassing, but I felt it was my duty to help them out. I would put myself in their shoes and imagined the situation reversed, they would with no doubt in my mind, help me the same way I assist them.

The second reason is just how similar her personal inferences remind me of my very own memories with my parents. For example I remember having to speak with a customer service representative for my parents. It was about overages of...

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...Based on AmyTan’s “Mother Tongue” it is evident that language has an affect on our lives. Language defines the type of person I am generally and it has had an affect on my choices as well as my lifestyle. Depending on my friends, family, and others I talk to my choice on language tends to vary. My decisions in life, sometimes, are influenced by the language I use and my surroundings. Language has become my way of seeing life in a different perspective.
In AmyTan’s “Mother Tongue” she discusses the way the language that she was taught affected her life in so many ways. I can agree and relate to Tan’s article since I as well came from a bilingual home. I respected my parents so I always honored the language they spoke, most of the time I believe I spoke their language out of habit, it was our language as a family. In Tan’s article she quotes “So easy to read” (Tan 391) when she spoke about her mother’s verdict on her book. I had a similar story occur in my family since my mother had a tough time reading and understand english while I was growing up. I honored the way she defended herself even with her “broken” english and taught me that language is just a way of seeing the world depending on your language you can determine the way you...

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English 2 Honors
Mr. Amy
11 September 2014
Poem Analysis
The poems “We Grow Accustomed to the Dark”, by Emily Dickinson, and “Acquainted with the Night”, by Robert Frost both explain each author's point of view in regards to darkness and night. While Emily Dickinson uses uplifting diction to portray darkness as moments in our life when we are uneasy, Robert Frost recalls his personal accounts to detail night as a constant state of isolation.
Dickinson's poem conveys a positive tone, one that is almost hopeful. She constantly refers to herself and the reader as a collective “we”. An individual does not grow accustomed to the dark, instead, “We grow accustomed to the Dark”. The fact that Emily Dickinson is not alone makes her poem instantly polar to Robert Frost's. Frost reinforces the idea of total isolation using “I”, which is the beginning of multiple lines. Building on this, Dickinson uses cheerful diction to construct her work, telling us to “meet the Road—erect” while Frost expresses solitude by writing sorrowful diction, saying that he has “outwalked the furthest city light”. One poem tells us that we should face our challenges and uncertainties head-on, and the other details the lonely disposition of a pessimistic author. Darkness in “We Grow Accustomed to the Dark” symbolizes doubt and question of the future while night in “Acquainted with the Night” refers to the authors desolate lifestyle and complete separation from society....

...﻿Society is changing at a rapid pace and informality in the English language is on the rise. In places where formal language was once a must, informality has taken over, and questions are raised over whether formal language still has a place in modern English. However, despite changes, formal language is still in use and is still expected and considered the most appropriate method of address in many situations. In written and spoken communication, formal language has the ability to convey knowledge and provide a sense of occasion, while informality has the ability to minimise social distance and is easily understood. Situations in which formal language is the most appropriate form of address may have diminished, however it retains an important role in society.
From chatting on the phone to a friend to asking about a neighbour’s day, spoken informal language is the main form of language used in most people’s everyday lives, however it is now being used in more situations. For example, a shift in the way businesses run has been reflected in a less formal method of communicating. Whereas the old business model was focused on the boss being above their employees, hence, a formal manner of communication between the two groups. Businesses now run on the basis of collaborating, sharing and creating a healthy and enjoyable work environment, so the method of...

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...After reading AmyTan’s “Mother Tongue”, I realized how many different “Englishes” I have spoken or used, as well as how many I have heard in my life-particularly while in the military. For example, how I speak with authority figures versus friends, and how I speak with my daughter as opposed to “educated” adults.
Although the English I speak with friends and coworkers is often filled with slang and swear words, I would never speak like that in many other settings. One of those times is, when spending time with my parents, it is always a “please and thank you” environment. Similarly when I’m with a boss at work or a professor at school I will always try to be as professional as possible, such as using sir or ma’am for example. As well as the English I use speaking with my five year old daughter, I speak softer and use smaller words. However, if I do use larger words, I always make sure to explain the meaning to her. I never miss an opportunity to expand my daughter’s vocabulary.
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The Importance of Language
Calla Maldonado
Philosophy 110
Wednesdays 3:45
Dr. William Hale
Spring 2015
Point of View
Language is used to communicate in several different aspects such as expressing feelings, signs, symbols, gestures, and sounds. Language is also the basis of transmitting knowledge. We all learn a language when we are young in which is used to give and receive knowledge. Without language we would not be able to exchange words or learn knowledge. However, knowledge also comes from our senses, our individual reasoning and our feelings. We change the way we talk to smaller children and the way we talk at work. Language is so important that we tend to overlook how we essentially use it for everything.
Data
Language is important in every aspect of our lives because it allows people to communicate in a manner that enables the sharing of common ideas (Education.com, 2013).
Language helps shape a persons’ identity (Atylmo, 2008).
Language is the basis of transmitting knowledge (Dr. Manivanan, 2006).
Language is used to express feelings and in signs, gestures, symbols, and sounds.
We change our language depending on who we talk to and where we are talking. Example: at work, to children,etc. (Bauer, Laurie 2003).
Learning language will help a persons’...

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